Recently, Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed over 40% in just a month, making that eye-watering $69,000 peak from 2021 seem like a stepping stone rather than a ceiling. What’s fuelling this madness? A mix of fresh ETF approvals in the U.S. and the excitement around the highly-anticipated “halving” event due at the end of April has traders and investors on the edge of their seats.
But let’s slice through the hype and take a hard look at what’s really going on.
First off, Bitcoin is no stranger to headlines, both good and bad. The recent price surge has been powered by the green light given to spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, alongside the programmed scarcity spike known as “halving.” This is when the reward for mining Bitcoin is cut in half, an event that happens every four years and is designed to make Bitcoin scarcer, theoretically bumping up its value.
Now whether you think Bitcoin is the future of money or just digital fairy dust, its price is tethered to these fundamental events. The upcoming halving will drop the mining reward from 6.25 to 3.125 coins, effectively doubling the cost of production and squeezing the supply. It’s basic economics – lower supply plus steady (or growing) demand usually means higher prices.
The influx of $70 billion into spot Bitcoin ETFs since their inception is a testament to growing mainstream acceptance. Speculators are betting big, expecting prices to soar past the $100,000 mark post-halving. Yet, a closer look suggests this target might be more wishful thinking than a solid forecast.
The cost to mine a single Bitcoin – mostly down to electricity – sits around $27,000, according to financial giant JPMorgan. This figure is expected to leap to about $50,000 right after the halving, setting a temporary floor for Bitcoin’s price. However, the sustainability of this cost-based floor is questionable, especially as the hashrate, or the total computing power mining Bitcoin, is at an all-time high. This makes mining more expensive, theoretically supporting higher prices.
The issue is Bitcoin’s price has vaulted way beyond these production costs, entering a territory that’s historically been unsustainable. After the halving, as less efficient miners bow out and the hashrate drops, production costs will likely decline. This could leave Bitcoin’s price hanging without a safety net, especially if the mining power dips by a fifth, pulling production costs down to around $43,000. It’s a potential reality check for those caught up in the current buying mania.
Bitcoin’s recent performance, with a 36% jump following the approval of spot ETFs, paints a picture of optimism. Yet, the upcoming halving event, a programmed reduction in mining rewards, adds layers of complexity to its future price movements.
Several experts point out the fundamental logic: if supply tightens while demand holds steady or grows, prices should climb. This principle has held in the aftermath of past halvings, though with diminishing impact each time. However, with institutions now potentially needing to buy more Bitcoin to back ETF investments, the dynamics might shift.
